System and method for cell phone cases with charging port illumination

ABSTRACT

Implementations of a system and method for cell phone cases with charging port illumination are provided. In some implementations, the system for cell phone cases with charging port illumination comprises a circuitry comprising a battery, a switch, and a light emitting diode (LED). In some implementations, the circuitry is configured to securely attach to a cell phone case. In some implementations, the circuitry is configured to illuminate a charging port opening of the cell phone case. 
     In some implementations, the method for cell phone cases with charging port illumination comprises securely attaching the circuitry to the cell phone case. In some implementations, the method further comprises illuminating the charging port opening of the cell phone case with the circuitry.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No.62/547,653, which was filed on Aug. 18, 2017, and is incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to implementations of a system and method forcell phone cases with charging port illumination.

BACKGROUND

Cell phone cases, such as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, are very popular foruse with cell phones. For example, a cell phone case may be used toprotect a cell phone from damage and/or to decorate or otherwise enhancethe appearance of a cell phone.

As shown in FIG. 1B, cell phone cases usually include an opening foraccess to the charging port of an encased cell phone to connect a cellphone charger. However, in darkness or other low light conditions, it isoften difficult to see the cell phone charging port to connect thecharger to charge the cell phone. Existing cell phone cases, such asshown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, often add to the difficulty to see thecharging port of an encased cell phone through the case charging portopening in low light conditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate examples of existing cell phone cases.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a bottom view of an implementation of anexample cell phone case with charging port illumination according to thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate a back view of an implementation of an examplecell phone case with charging port illumination according to the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4A illustrates an implementation of an example circuitry for a cellphone case with charging port illumination according to the presentdisclosure, such as the cell phone case shown in FIGS. 2A-2B and 3A-3C.

FIG. 4B illustrates an example circuit diagram of the circuitry for acell phone case with charging port illumination shown in FIG. 4A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Implementations of a system and method for cell phone cases withcharging port illumination are provided. In some implementations, thesystem for cell phone cases with charging port illumination comprises acircuitry comprising a battery, a switch, and a light emitting diode(LED). In some implementations, the circuitry is configured to securelyattach to a cell phone case. In some implementations, the circuitry isconfigured to illuminate a charging port opening of the cell phone case.

In some implementations, the method for cell phone cases with chargingport illumination comprises securely attaching the circuitry to the cellphone case. In some implementations, the method further comprisesilluminating the charging port opening of the cell phone case with thecircuitry.

In some implementations, the system for cell phone cases with chargingport illumination is configured to attach to a cell phone case. In someimplementations, the system includes a cell phone case. In someimplementations, the system is configured to illuminate a charging portopening of the cell phone case.

In this way, in some implementations, the system provides illuminationof the charging port of a cell phone encased in a cell phone case thatincludes the system. Furthermore in this way, in some implementations,the illumination provided by the system allows a user to see thecharging port of the encased call phone in darkness or other low lightconditions.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate examples of existing cell phone cases 100.Such cell phone cases 100 are very popular for use with cell phones 152.For example, a cell phone case 100 may be used to protect a cell phone152 from damage and/or to decorate or otherwise enhance the appearanceof a cell phone 152.

As shown in FIG. 1B, cell phone cases 100 usually include an opening 100a for access to the charging port 152 a of an encased cell phone 152 toconnect a cell phone charger (not shown). However, in darkness or otherlow light conditions, it is often difficult to see the cell phonecharging port 152 a to connect the charger to charge the cell phone 152.Existing cell phone cases, such as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, often addto the difficulty to see the charging port 152 a of an encased cellphone 152 through the case charging port opening 100 a in low lightconditions.

In some implementations, a cell phone as described herein, such as thecell phone 152, 252, can be any suitable cell phone, cellphone, cellularphone, mobile phone, or similar device.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a bottom view of an implementation of anexample cell phone case 200 with charging port 200 a illuminationaccording to the present disclosure.

As further described below with reference to FIGS. 3A-3C and FIGS. 4Aand 4B respectively, in some implementations, the cell phone case 200comprises circuitry 300 embodied in the cell phone case 200 that causeslight-emitting diode (“LED”) to illuminate the opening 200 a and thecharging port 252 a.

In some implementations, the cell phone case 200 is configured to encasea cell phone 252. In some implementations, the charging port 252 a of anencased cell phone 252 is adjacent to the case opening 200 a.

In some implementations, the charging port 252 a of the encased cellphone 252 is accessible through the case opening 200 a.

In some implementations, the cell phone case 200 is configured toilluminate the charging port 252 a of the encased cell phone 252 whenthe circuitry 300 illuminates the case opening 200 a.

In some implementations, the cell phone 252 may be the same or similarto the cell phone 152 referred to above.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate a back view of an implementation of an examplecell phone case 200 with charging port 200 a illumination according tothe present disclosure.

In some implementations, circuitry 300 is securely attached to orotherwise embodied in the cell phone case 200. In some implementations,the circuitry 300 causes an LED to illuminate the cell phone casecharging port opening 200 a and the cell phone charging port 252 a.

As further described below with respect to FIGS. 4A and 4B, in someimplementations, the circuitry 300 comprises a battery and a switchedLED.

In some implementations, when the user presses a pushbutton on the cellphone case 200, the circuitry 300 switches the LED on or off.

In some implementations, the circuitry 300 is configured such that whena user presses a pushbutton on the cell phone case 200, the LED turnson, and when the user presses the pushbutton again, the LED turns off.In some implementations, this cycle is repeated for each press of thepushbutton.

In some implementations, the circuitry 300 is configured such that whenthe LED is turned on, a timer starts and the LED is turned off after apreset or predetermined time.

In some implementations, the circuitry 300 is configured to securelyattach to the cell phone case 200 in a position so that light emittedfrom the LED of the circuitry 300 illuminates a cell phone charging portopening 200 a of the cell phone case 200.

In some implementations, the circuitry 300 is configured to securelyattach to the cell phone case 200 adjacent to the charging port opening200 a.

In some implementations, the circuitry 300 is configured to securely andremovably attach to the cell phone case 200.

In some implementations, the circuitry 300 is an integrated part of thecell phone case 200.

In some implementations, the circuitry 300 is composed on a piece ofmaterial 210 that is configured to securely and removably attach to thecell phone case 200.

In some implementations, the piece of material 210 is a part of the cellphone case 200.

In some implementations, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the charging portopening 200 a is located on the bottom side of the cell phone case 200.In some implementations, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, the piece of material210 is a flat rectangular panel configured to securely attach to theback side of the cell phone case 200 adjacent to the charging portopening 200 a with the circuitry 300 facing the back side of the cellphone case 200 and covered by the piece of material 210.

In some implementations, the piece of material 210 further comprises anextension 210 a from the flat rectangular panel that extends from theback side of the cell phone case 200 around to the bottom side of thecell phone case 200 and is configured to transmit light emitted from theLED to the bottom side of the cell phone case 200 to illuminate thecharging port opening 200 a.

FIG. 4A illustrates an implementation 300A of the circuitry 300 for thecell phone case 200 with charging port 200 a illumination according tothe present disclosure, such as the cell phone case 200 shown in FIGS.2A-2B and 3A-3C. FIG. 4B illustrates an example circuit diagram 300B ofthe circuitry 300 shown in FIG. 4A.

In some implementations, the circuitry 300 comprises a battery 300 a, aswitch 300 b, and an LED 300 c. In some implementations, the circuitry300 further comprises a timer 300 d. In some implementations, thecircuitry 300 further comprises additional components such as one ormore resistors 300 e.

In some implementations, the foregoing components of the circuitry 300are electrically connected together so that the battery 300 a powers theLED 300 c to emit light when the switch 300 b is operated.

In some implementations, as shown in FIG. 4A, the circuitry 300 iscomposed on a circuit board 312.

In some implementations, as described further above for FIGS. 3A-3C, thecircuitry 300 is composed on a piece of material 210 that is configuredto securely and removably attach to the cell phone case 200.

In some implementations, the switch 300 b is a tactile switch. In someimplementations, the switch 300 b is a normally open switch. In someimplementations, the switch 300 b is a pushbutton switch. In someimplementations, the switch 300 b may be any suitable switch to performthe functionality disclosed herein.

In some implementations, the circuitry 300 powers the LED 300 c when theswitch 300 b is pressed.

In some implementations, the circuitry 300 continues to power the LED300 c after the switch 300 b is pressed until the switch 300 b ispressed again.

In some implementations, the timer 300 d is configured to give theswitch 300 b a latch functionality in the circuitry 300.

For example, in some implementations, when the switch 300 b is pressed,the timer 300 d causes the circuitry 300 to power the LED 300 c. In someimplementations, when the switch 300 b is pressed again, the timer 300 dcauses the circuitry 300 to stop powering the LED 300 c.

In some implementations, the LED 300 c stays powered on by the circuitry300 so long as the switch 300 b is depressed. In some implementations,the LED 300 c is then powered off by the circuitry 300 when pressure isreleased from the switch 300 b.

In some implementations, the LED 300 c is powered or not powered by thecircuitry 300 by any other suitable configuration or functioning of thecomponents of the circuitry 300.

In some implementations, the switch 300 b is configured to operate bypressing the piece of material 210 while the piece of material 210 isattached to the cell phone case 200.

In some implementations, the circuitry 300 can be embodied in the cellphone case 200. In some implementations, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B,the circuitry 300 can be embodied in the piece of material being aremovable slot 210 on a modular cell phone case 200 (e.g., the OtterboxUniverse Case). In some implementations, the circuitry 300 can beembodied in any other suitable cell phone case 200. In someimplementations, the circuitry 300 can be securely attached directly toa cell phone 252 to illuminate the charging port 252 a of the cell phone252. In some implementations, the circuitry 300 can be securely attachedto any other suitable cell phone case 100 to illuminate the chargingport 152 a of a cell phone 152.

In some implementations, the cell phone case 200 with charging port 200a illumination can have any suitable dimensions.

In some implementations, the cell phone case 200 with charging port 200a illumination is composed of any suitable materials.

In some implementations, the cell phone case 200 with charging port 200a illumination can have any suitable appearance.

In some implementations, an example use of the cell phone case 200 withcharging port 200 a illumination comprises placing a cell phone 252 inthe cell phone case 200 and causing the circuitry 300 to power the LED300 c to illuminate the opening 200 a and the cell phone charging port252 a to access the charging port 252 a.

In some implementations, causing the circuitry 300 to power the LED 300c comprises pressing a pushbutton on the cell phone case 200.

In some implementations, accessing the cell phone charging port 252 acomprises connecting a charging cable to the cell phone charging port252 a. In some implementations, accessing the cell phone charging port252 a comprises disconnecting a charging cable from the cell phonecharging port 252 a.

In some implementations, an example use of the circuitry 300 for thecell phone case 200 with charging port 200 a illumination comprisessecurely attaching the circuitry 300 to the cell phone case 200.

In some implementations, the method comprises securely attaching thepiece of material 210 to the cell phone case 200.

The circuitry 300 is intended to generally illustrate the functionalityof the cell phone case. One of ordinary skill in the art with thebenefit of this invention would know how to make circuitry having thefunctionality described herein.

The figures, including photographs and drawings, comprised herewith mayrepresent one or more implementations of a cell phone case thatilluminates a cell phone charging port.

Details shown in the figures, such as dimensions, descriptions, etc.,are exemplary, and there may be implementations of other suitabledetails according to the present disclosure.

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or“implementation” or words of similar import means that a particulardescribed feature, structure, or characteristic is comprised in at leastone embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrase “in someimplementations” or a phrase of similar import in various placesthroughout this specification does not necessarily refer to the sameembodiment.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theseinventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings.

The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combinedin any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the abovedescription, numerous specific details are provided for a thoroughunderstanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in therelevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments of the inventioncan be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or withother methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances,well-known structures, materials, or operations may not be shown ordescribed in detail.

While operations may be depicted in the drawings in a particular order,this should not be understood as requiring that such operations beperformed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or thatall illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A cell phone case comprising: a case havingan inner side and outer side wherein the case is configured to securelyhouse a cell phone within its inner side wherein the case comprises aback panel configured to cover the back of the cell phone when the cellphone is housed in the case and a side wall extending from the backpanel toward the inner side of the case wherein the side wall comprisesa charging port opening configured to provide access through thechanging port opening to a charging port of the cell phone when the cellphone is housed in the case wherein the charging port opening isconfigured to at least partially surrounds the charging port of the cellphone when the cell phone is housed in the case; and circuitrycomprising a battery, a switch, and a light emitting diode (LED)electrically connected together so that the battery powers the LED toemit light when the switch is operated wherein the circuitry is embodiedin the back panel of the case and wherein the LED is positioned in theback panel of the case so that the light emitted from the LED isdirected from within the back panel of the cell phone case toward theinner side of the side wall to illuminate the charging port opening,wherein the portion of the case containing the circuitry and side wallcomprising the charging port opening are removably attached to the caseon a removable panel.
 2. The cell phone case of claim 1, wherein thecircuitry is positioned within the back panel of the case adjacent tothe charging port opening.
 3. The cell phone case of claim 1, whereinthe circuitry is composed on an inner surface of the removable panel. 4.The cell phone case of claim 1, wherein the switch is configured tooperate by pressing the switch through the back panel of the case. 5.The cell phone case of claim 1, wherein the switch is a tactile switch.6. The cell phone case of claim 1 wherein the circuitry furthercomprises a timer electrically connected to the circuitry and configuredto turn off the LED at a preset amount of time after the LED is turnedon by the circuitry.
 7. The cell phone case of claim 1 wherein theswitch is a pushbutton switch.
 8. A method of using the cell phone caseof claim 1, the method comprising: placing a cell phone in the case andcausing the circuitry to power the LED to illuminate the charging portopening by pressing the switch.
 9. The cell phone case of claim 1,wherein the removable panel is a removable slot.